Mexico Massacre Protest Turns Violent as Thousands Take to Streets

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Protesters threw Molotov cocktails and clashed with riot police outside Mexico City's National Palace on Thursday night as thousands protested against President Enrique Pena Nieto's handling of the apparent massacre of 43 trainee teachers. Hundreds of police in riot gear blocked access to the palace in the capital's main square, where thousands of protesters had gathered in support of the students who were apparently murdered after their abduction by corrupt police on Sept. 26.

Three marches had been peaceful until the protesters burned an effigy of Pena Nieto. Around 300 masked demonstrators had earlier sparred with police near Mexico City's airport, throwing Molotov cocktails and fireworks. Mexico has been convulsed by protests since the 43 students were taken from the southwestern city of Iguala by police working with a local drug gang and then very likely incinerated, according to the government, which is still investigating the incident. "I'm here because I don't want anything like that to happen to my daughter," said domestic worker Alma Hernandez, 30, who was accompanied by her 6-year-old daughter at the marches.